Coplanar antenna

ABSTRACT

A coplanar antenna including a conductive plane, wherein the length of the conductive plane along a first dimension is less than one-quarter of a wavelength of a resonant frequency; an insulating region within the conductive plane, wherein the insulating region is of a shape that outlines a conductive peninsula, wherein: the conductive peninsula is coupled to the conductive plane, the conductive peninsula is substantially coplanar to a major portion of the conductive plane, the conductive peninsula is operable to be electrically coupled to an electric feed circuit, and the conductive peninsula is operable to electrically couple a tunable inductance to the conductive plane after receiving a current from the electric feed circuit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The field of the invention is coplanar antennas.

Description Of Related Art

Personal, wearable technology continues to evolve, and the technologiesunderlying these wearable devices also continue to evolve. Some existingtechnologies incorporate antennas that require the use of an insulatingradome over the antenna in order to both protect the underlying antennafrom static discharge and to protect the electrical properties of theantenna itself

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a particular embodiment of the present disclosure, a coplanar antennaincludes a conductive plane, wherein the length of the conductive planealong a first dimension is less than one-quarter of a wavelength of aresonant frequency; an insulating region within the conductive plane,wherein the insulating region is of a shape that outlines a conductivepeninsula, wherein: the conductive peninsula is coupled to theconductive plane, the conductive peninsula is substantially coplanar toa major portion of the conductive plane, the conductive peninsula isoperable to be electrically coupled to an electric feed circuit, and theconductive peninsula is operable to electrically couple a tunableinductance to the conductive plane after receiving a current from theelectric feed circuit.

In a particular embodiment of the present disclosure, a method foroperating a coplanar antenna includes receiving a plurality ofenvironmental data from a plurality of sensors and providing anelectrical signal to a conductive plane. The conductive plane has afirst dimension and a second dimension, where the length of theconductive plane along the first dimension is less than one-quarter of awavelength of a resonant frequency. The method for operating thecoplanar antenna includes providing a current from an electric feedcircuit to a conductive peninsula electrically coupled to the electricfeed circuit, where the conductive peninsula is of a shape outlined byan insulating region disposed within the conductive plane. In theparticular embodiment, the conductive peninsula is coupled to theconductive plane and the conductive peninsula is substantially coplanarto a major portion of the conductive plane. The conductive peninsula isalso operable to electrically couple a tunable inductance to theconductive plane after receiving the current from the electric feedcircuit. In the particular embodiment, the method includes transmittingdata associated with the plurality of environmental data through anantenna circuit, the antenna circuit comprising the conductive plane andthe tunable inductance.

In a particular embodiment of the present disclosure, a personal sensorbracelet includes a curved conductive band comprising a substantiallyplanar portion having a first end and a second end. The curvedconductive band also includes a first curved portion extending from thefirst end of the substantially planar portion; a second curved portionextending from the second end of the substantially planar portion; and acoplanar antenna disposed. According to the particular embodiment, thecoplanar antenna includes a conductive plane having a first dimensionand a second dimension, wherein the length of the conductive plane alongthe first dimension is less than or equal to one-quarter of a wavelengthof a resonant frequency, wherein a major portion of the conductive planeis disposed within the substantially planar portion; an insulatingregion disposed within the conductive plane, wherein the insulatingregion is of a shape that outlines a conductive peninsula. In theparticular embodiment, the conductive peninsula is coupled to theconductive plane; and the conductive peninsula is substantially coplanarto the major portion of the conductive plane; the conductive peninsulais not substantially electrically resonant at the resonant frequency;and the conductive peninsula is electrically coupled to an electric feedcircuit. The coplanar antenna also includes a processor disposed withinthe substantially planar portion, the processor electrically coupled tothe electric feed circuit; and a plurality of sensors disposed withinthe substantially planar portion, the plurality of sensors electricallycoupled to the processor. The personal sensor bracelet also includes asecond curved band coupled to the curved conductive band such that thesecond curved band and the curved conductive band form a bracelet,wherein the second curved band is removably coupled to the curvedconductive band at an end of the first curved portion distal from thesubstantially planar portion, and the second curved band is removablycoupled to the curved conductive band at an end of the second curvedportion distal from the substantially planar portion.

In a particular embodiment of the present disclosure, a method ofmanufacturing a coplanar antenna circuit includes forming a conductiveplane from a first conductive material, the conductive plane having afirst dimension and a second dimension, wherein the length of theconductive plane along the first dimension is less than one-quarter of awavelength of a resonant frequency. The method of manufacturing alsoincludes forming a conductive peninsula from a second conductivematerial, the conductive peninsula being coupled to the conductive planeand separated from the conductive plane by an insulating region, whereinthe conductive peninsula is substantially coplanar to a major portion ofthe conductive plane. In the particular embodiment, the method ofmanufacturing also includes electrically coupling the conductivepeninsula to an electric feed circuit, wherein the conductive peninsulais operable to electrically couple a tunable inductance to theconductive plane after receiving a current from the electric feedcircuit.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following more particulardescriptions of example embodiments of the invention as illustrated inthe accompanying drawings wherein like reference numbers generallyrepresent like parts of example embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A sets forth an example simplified diagram of a coplanar antenna,according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B sets forth an example simplified diagram of a coplanar antenna,according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example curved conductive band incorporating acoplanar antenna, in accordance with certain embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example personal sensor bracelet incorporating acurved conductive band, in accordance with certain embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 4 sets forth a flow chart illustrating an example method foroperating a coplanar antenna circuit, according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 5 sets forth a flow chart illustrating another example method foroperating a coplanar antenna circuit, according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 6 sets forth a flow chart illustrating another example method formanufacturing a coplanar antenna circuit, according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 sets forth a flow chart illustrating another example method formanufacturing a coplanar antenna circuit, according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Example coplanar antennas, methods of operating coplanar antennas,personal sensor bracelets that include coplanar antennas and methods formanufacturing coplanar antenna circuits in accordance with the presentdisclosure are described with reference to the accompanying drawings,beginning with FIG. 1A. FIG. 1A sets forth an example simplified diagramof a coplanar antenna (100), according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In some embodiments, coplanar antenna (100) includesconductive plane (102) coupled to a conductive peninsula (106).Conductive plane (102) is separated from conductive peninsula (106) byinsulating region (104).

In some current antennas, a planar inverted “F”-type antenna forexample, a conductive, radiating element may be coupled to a groundplane via a conductive structure. The radiating element may then be“fed,” or supplied, with an electrical signal from an electrical feedcircuit through a feed point. The electrical feed circuit is a circuitconfigured to provide an electrical signal to the radiating element. Bycontrast, in example coplanar antenna (100), the radiating element maybe considered to be conductive plane (102) in conjunction with theelectrical properties provided by conductive peninsula (106), insulatingregion (104), and any additional electrical components provided byelectrical feed circuit (114) that is electrically coupled to conductiveplane (102) and conductive peninsula (106), as described in more detailbelow.

Conductive plane (102) may be comprised of any appropriate conductivematerial. For example, conductive plane (102) may comprise brass, gold,copper, etc., and/or alloys containing appropriate conductive materials.Conductive plane (102) extends along two dimensions: first dimension(108) and second dimension (110). In some current antennas, the lengthof the radiating element is chosen to be approximately one-quarter of aresonant frequency (the frequency at which the antenna is expected tooperate). The size of conductive plane (102) may be selected such thatits length along first dimension (108) is less than one-quarter of theresonant frequency wavelength. As described in more detail below, due tothe inclusion of conductive peninsula (106), this may allow for coplanarantenna (100) to operate at a relatively higher resonant frequency thanmay be expected given the chosen size of conductive plane (102).

Conductive peninsula (106) may be comprised of any appropriateconductive material. For example, conductive peninsula (106) maycomprise brass, gold, copper, etc., and/or alloys containing appropriateconductive materials. In some embodiments, conductive peninsula (106)may be formed from an integral piece of conductive material withconductive plane (102). For example, a sheet of brass may be cut in sucha manner as to leave conductive peninsula (106) separated fromconductive plane (102), as illustrated in FIG. 1A. In alternativeembodiments, conductive peninsula (106) may be formed of a differentmaterial than conductive plane (102). For example, conductive plane(102) may be formed of a first material (e.g., gold) and conductivepeninsula (106) may be formed of a second material (e.g., copper), andthe two may be coupled to one another by an appropriate bondingmechanism.

Conductive peninsula (106) may have a shape generally outlined byinsulating region (104). Insulating region (104) is a region disposedwithin conductive plane (102) such that insulating region (104) issubstantially filled with an insulating material. For example,insulating region (104) may be an air gap between conductive plane (102)and conductive peninsula (106). Depending on the final configuration ofcoplanar antenna (100) and/or its inclusion in particular products, thematerial chosen to fill insulating region (104) may vary. As notedabove, insulating region (104) may be left as an air gap. In otherconfigurations, insulating region (104) may be filled with a dielectricmaterial such as a plastic resin or other appropriate dielectricmaterial.

In some embodiments, conductive plane (102) may include a major portion(112) that is substantially planar. In these embodiments, conductivepeninsula (106) and insulating region (104) are substantially coplanarwith major portion (112) of conductive plane (102). As described in moredetail below with reference to FIGS. 2-3, conductive plane (102) mayinclude other portions that curve or bend away from the planarity ofmajor portion (112). For example, coplanar antenna (100) may beincorporated into a wearable device (e.g., a bracelet), and portions ofconductive plane (102) may be formed to curve in accordance with theappropriate form factor.

In order to operate, or resonate, at a desired frequency, conductiveplane (102) and conductive peninsula (106) are electrically coupled toelectric feed circuit (114) via electrical connections (116) and (118),respectively. As described in more detail below, a current is suppliedto conductive plane (102) and conductive peninsula (106) via electricalconnections (116) and (118) from electric feed circuit (114).

In some embodiments, the current applied to conductive peninsula (106)does not result in conductive peninsula (106) becoming a radiatingelement. That is, conductive peninsula (106) does not substantiallyresonate at the frequency desired by the operation of coplanar antenna(100). Rather, due to its separation from conductive plane (102) viainsulating region (104), as well as the placement of electricalconnection (118), conductive peninsula (106) acts to provide aninductance to the antenna circuit. This inductance, along with anyadditional appropriate components within electric feed circuit (114)(e.g., capacitors) allows for coplanar antenna (100) to be tuned to aparticular resonant frequency. This tuning may be the result of designconsiderations regarding the shape, density, component materials, etc.,chosen for conductive peninsula (106). Alternatively, tuning may beaccomplished through the placement (and/or other design characteristics)of electrical connection (118). In alternative embodiments, the currentapplied to conductive peninsula (106) may result in conductive peninsula(106) becoming a radiating element, as described in more detail belowwith reference to FIG. 1A.

Generally, this allows for coplanar antenna (100) to be configured in amanner than may be smaller in dimension that is typical for the desiredresonant frequency. Due to the inductance provided by conductivepeninsula (106), conductive plane (102) may be sized such that it issmaller (e.g., along first dimension (108)) than the typical one-quarterwavelength of the desired resonant frequency. The dimensions ofconductive peninsula (106) may be chosen in order to provide the desiredinductance value to the antenna circuit, and the size may thus vary inaccordance with the desired design values (e.g., desired frequency,desired form factor size, etc.). The electrical resonant properties ofcoplanar antenna (100) may be further tuned by the addition ofelectrical components to electric feed circuit (114). One advantage ofthe present disclosure is that, by incorporating the relatively largeinductance through the use of conductive peninsula (106), the tuningcomponents of electric feed circuit (114) may be relatively small andincorporated directly onto a small printed circuit board, for example.

In some embodiments, coplanar antenna (100) may be sufficiently immuneto electrostatic discharge concerns that no insulating cover (e.g., aradome) is required. In some current antenna designs, the antenna may becovered with a radome both to protect the electrical components of theantenna from electrostatic discharge, and to protect the electrical,resonant properties of the underlying antenna circuit. By contrast,coplanar antenna (100) does not require any insulating cover. In someembodiments, the elements of coplanar antenna (100) may be covered withan additional material in order to improve the appearance of coplanarantenna (100). For example, conductive plane (102) may be plated withgold or vanadium in order to improve its appearance when used, forexample, in a wearable bracelet.

FIG. 1A sets forth an additional example simplified diagram of acoplanar antenna (100), according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In some embodiments, coplanar antenna (100) includesconductive plane (102) coupled to a conductive peninsula (106), asdescribed in more detail above with reference to FIG. 1A. Conductiveplane (102) is separated from conductive peninsula (106) by insulatingregion (104).

Conductive peninsula (106) may have a shape generally outlined byinsulating region (104). Insulating region (104) is a region disposedwithin conductive plane (102) such that insulating region (104) issubstantially filled with an insulating material. For example,insulating region (104) may be an air gap between conductive plane (102)and conductive peninsula (106). Depending on the final configuration ofcoplanar antenna (100) and/or its inclusion in particular products, thematerial chosen to fill insulating region (104) may vary. As notedabove, insulating region (104) may be left as an air gap. In otherconfigurations, insulating region (104) may be filled with a dielectricmaterial such as a plastic resin or other appropriate dielectricmaterial.

In some embodiments, conductive plane (102) may include a major portion(112) that is substantially planar. In these embodiments, conductivepeninsula (106) and insulating region (104) are substantially coplanarwith major portion (112) of conductive plane (102). As described in moredetail below with reference to FIGS. 2-3, conductive plane (102) mayinclude other portions that curve or bend away from the planarity ofmajor portion (112). For example, coplanar antenna (100) may beincorporated into a wearable device (e.g., a bracelet), and portions ofconductive plane (102) may be formed to curve in accordance with theappropriate form factor.

In order to operate, or resonate, at a desired frequency, conductiveplane (102) and conductive peninsula (106) are electrically coupled toelectric feed circuit (114) via electrical connections (116) and (118),respectively. As described in more detail below, a current is suppliedto conductive plane (102) and conductive peninsula (106) via electricalconnections (116) and (118) from electric feed circuit (114).

In some embodiments, the current applied to conductive peninsula (106)may result in conductive peninsula (106) becoming a radiating element,as described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 1A. That is,conductive peninsula (106) does substantially resonate at the frequencydesired by the operation of coplanar antenna (100). This may beaccomplished, for example, by positioning electrical connection (118) ata point along dimension (108) distal from electrical connection (116).When a current is provided to electrical connection (118), a circuitincluding electrical connection (118) may see an impedance associatedwith conductive peninsula (106). The closer that electrical connection(118) is placed to electrical connection (116), the lower that impedancewill be (e.g., electrical connection (116) may be at a zero-ohmimpedance level by virtue of its connection to electric feed circuit(114). Likewise, the further that electrical connection (118) is placedto electrical connection (116), the higher that impedance may be.

In order to configure conductive peninsula (106) as a radiating elementat a desired frequency, the impedance seen by the antenna circuit atelectrical connection (116) may need to be substantially matched to theimpedance provided by the source of the radio signal provide to antenna(100). For example, antennas usually operate at a fifty-ohm impedancematching. By placing electrical connection (118) at a point onconductive peninsula (106) along dimension (108) distal from electricalconnection (116) such that the impedance seen at electrical connection(118) is the desired impedance for radio operation, conductive peninsula(106) may be configured so as to resonate at a desired frequency. Theexact placement of electrical connection (118) along conductivepeninsula (106) may vary depending on various design considerationsincluding the shape, density, material, etc., of conductive peninsula(106), the desired resonant frequency, the desired impedance matching,etc. Therefore, although an example configuration is illustrated in FIG.1A, variations may be present in any given configuration withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure. Further, electricfeed circuit (114) may include any additional appropriate components(e.g., capacitors) in order for coplanar antenna (100) to be tuned to aparticular resonant frequency.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example curved conductive band (200) incorporatingcoplanar antenna (100), in accordance with certain embodiments of thepresent disclosure. In some embodiments, curved conductive band (200)may include a substantially planar portion (202) having a first end(203) and a second end (205). Extending from first end (203) is firstcurved portion (204), and extending from second end (205) is secondcurved portion (206). These structural portions of curved conductiveband (200) may be configured in such a manner as to provide a wearableelectronic device incorporating coplanar antenna (100).

In some embodiments, the wearable electronic device may be a bracelet.In some configurations, the bracelet may have a structure that iscomposed of a generally round or ovular shape composed primarily offirst curved portion (204) and second curved portion (206). First curvedportion (204) and second curved portion (206) may be formed of anintegral piece of a conductive material (e.g., bronze, gold, etc.). Inalternative embodiments, first curved portion (204) and second curvedportion (206) may be formed of different materials. In still otherembodiments, first curved portion (204) and second curved portion (206)may be coupled to one another either removably (e.g., via a clasp orother coupling mechanism) or fixedly. In still other embodiments, curvedconductive band (200) may be part of a larger wearable electronicdevice.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example personal sensor bracelet (300)incorporating curved conductive band (200), in accordance with certainembodiments of the present disclosure. Personal sensor bracelet (300)includes curved conductive band (200) coupled to a second curved band(302) removably coupled to curved conductive band (200) in order to forma generally circular or ovular bracelet. In some embodiments, personalsensor bracelet (300) also includes a processor (304) and a plurality ofsensors (306) electrically coupled to electric feed circuit (114) anddisposed within the substantially planar portion (202) of curvedconductive band (200).

As described in more detail above with reference to FIGS. 1-2,substantially planar portion (202) of curved conductive band (200) mayhave disposed within it major portion (104) of coplanar antenna (100).In addition, electric feed circuit (114) may also be disposed withinsubstantially planar portion (202) of curved conductive band (200). Inorder to provide intelligence to electric feed circuit (114) andcoplanar antenna (100), personal sensor bracelet (300) may also haveprocessor (304) and plurality of sensors (306) disposed withinsubstantially planar portion (202) of curved conductive band (200). Insome embodiments, electric feed circuit (114), processor (304), andplurality of sensors (306) may be included on a single component carrier(e.g., a printed circuit board) disposed within substantially planarportion (202) of curved conductive band (200).

In some embodiments, sensors (306) may be one or more appropriatesensors configured to collect environmental data about the environmentin which personal sensor bracelet (300) is found. For example, sensors(306) may be configured to collect atmospheric data (e.g., time,duration, temperature, humidity, etc.), logistical data (e.g., position,distance travelled, etc.), biometric data (e.g., heart rate, bodycomposition, blood pressure, etc.), and other environmental data. Inorder to store this data, whether temporarily or permanently, personalsensor bracelet may include one or more types of memory (308). Memory(308) may also be used to store computer-readable program instructionsthat may be carried out by processor (304).

For example, memory (308) may be a tangible device that can retain andstore instructions for use by an instruction execution device. Thecomputer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limitedto, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an opticalstorage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductorstorage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Anon-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readablestorage medium includes the following: a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), and any suitablecombination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, asused herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se,such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves,electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or othertransmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-opticcable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on processor (304),partly on processor (304), as a stand-alone software package, partly onprocessor (304) and partly on a remote computer or entirely on theremote computer or server.

In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected toprocessor (304) a network operating on the resonant frequency ofcoplanar antenna (100), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider). In some embodiments, processor (304) may be communicativelycoupled to the external computer by means of a relatively directelectrical connection (e.g., a universal serial bus (“USB”) connection).In some embodiments, the external computer may be a personal computer,network server, tablet computer, web application, smart phone, personaldigital assistant, or any other appropriate electronic device operableto retrieve and/or send data to and from memory (308).

In operation, personal sensor bracelet (300) may be operable to collecta variety of environmental data associated with the user of personalsensor bracelet (300) and transmit, via coplanar antenna (100), thatenvironmental data to one or more software modules for further analysis.The user may then access the transmitted data in real-time, nearreal-time, and/or a later time through one or more user interfaces tothe analysis software. For example, the user may access a smart phoneapp in order to view the environmental data.

In some embodiments, in addition to the intelligence provided byprocessor (304), sensors (306), and memory (308), personal sensorbracelet (300) may also include second curved band (302) removablycoupled to curved conductive band (200) in order to form a generallycircular or ovular bracelet. Second curved band (302) may be removablycoupled to curved conductive band (200) at an end (301) of first curvedportion (204) distal from the substantially planar portion (202) ofcurved conductive band (200) and/or removably coupled to curvedconductive band (200) at and end (303) of second curved portion (206)distal from the substantially planar portion (206) of curved conductiveband (200). In some embodiments, the mechanism for coupling one or moreportions of second curved band (302) to curved conductive band (200) maybe a clasp (e.g., to unattach one end of second curved band (302) inorder for a user to more comfortably attach personal sensor bracelet(300)), a detachable hinge (e.g., a hinged portion at one end for use inattaching personal sensor bracelet (300) to a user, wherein the hingemay be fully removed in order to change out second curved band (302) asdescribed in more detail below), or other appropriate mechanism.

One advantage of incorporating second curved band (302) into personalsensor bracelet (300) is to provide flexibility in the design ofpersonal sensor bracelet (300). For example, second curved band (302)may include different materials than those used for curved conductiveband (200), which may reduce manufacturing costs. Additionally, secondcurved band (302) may include materials that are relatively moreaesthetically appealing than the conductive material from which curvedconductive band (200) is formed. For example, second curved band (302)may include materials of different colors (e.g., enamels, plastics, etc.in various colors) than may be available for use in curved conductiveband (200). Further, the manner in which second curved band (302) isremovably coupled to curved conductive band (200) may allow for a userto incorporate a plurality of second curved bands (302) in succession inorder to alter the appearance of personal sensor bracelet (300). Therelatively lower cost of second curved band (302) (in configurations inwhich second curved band (302) is formed from relatively inexpensivematerials) may allow a user to alter the appearance of personal sensorbracelet (300) at a lower cost.

As described in more detail above with reference to FIGS. 1-2, coplanarantenna (100) may not be covered with a protective insulating cover(e.g., a radome). However, in order to improve the appearance ofpersonal sensor bracelet (300), some or all of coplanar antenna (100)and/or curved conductive band (200) may be covered with an additionalconductive material. For example, curved conductive band (200) may beplated with gold or vanadium in order to improve its aestheticappearance and/or electrical characteristics. Further, in someembodiments, some aesthetic modifications may be made to coplanarantenna (100) and/or curved conductive band (200) may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, an etchmay be made along the portion of curved conductive band (200) at whichconductive peninsula (106) is coupled to conductive plane (102). Thismay be done to provide the appearance of a rectangular shape (e.g., theshape of insulating region (104), completed by the etch), which may thenbe filled by an appropriate material (e.g., jeweler's grout) to providea relatively uniform appearance.

Further, although no insulating cover is required, some embodiments ofthe present disclosure may include decorative aspects added to someportion of coplanar antenna (100). For example, an emblem, jewel, label,or other object made of insulating material may be placed over a portionof coplanar antenna (e.g., in the center of conductive peninsula (106)in order to improve its aesthetic appearance. Such an object should notbe understood to be the protective covering described above withreference to FIGS. 1-3.

For further explanation, FIG. 4 sets forth a flow chart illustrating anexample method (400) for operating a coplanar antenna circuit, accordingto embodiments of the present disclosure. The example method (400) ofFIG. 4 includes receiving (402) a plurality of environmental data from aplurality of sensors. For example, as described in more detail abovewith reference to FIG. 3, a device including coplanar antenna (100)(e.g., personal sensor bracelet (300)) may include a plurality ofsensors (306). These sensors (306) may be operable to receive a varietyof environmental data associated with a user of the device. For example,sensors (306) may be operable to receive atmospheric data, locationdata, biometric data, etc. As described in more detail above withreference to FIG. 3, this data may be stored in memory (308).

Also included in example method (400) is providing (404) an electricalsignal to conductive plane (102), conductive plane (102) having a firstdimension and a second dimension, wherein the length of conductive plane(102) along the first dimension is less than one-quarter of a wavelengthof a resonant frequency. For example, as described above with referenceto FIGS. 1-3, coplanar antenna (100) may include conductive plane (102),which may be configured to be of a shape that includes a length lessthan one-quarter of a wavelength of a desired resonance frequency. Asdescribed in more detail above with reference to FIG. 3, electric feedcircuit (114) may be operable to provide an electric signal toconductive plane (102), resulting in conductive plane (102) resonatingat the desired resonant frequency. Variations in this electric signalwill result in variations in resonance of conductive plane (102), whichmay result in conductive plane (102) transmitting a signal associatedwith the electric signal provided by electric feed circuit (114). Thismay be done in accordance with known techniques of providing an electricsignal to a resonant antenna in order to convert an electrical signal toa radio frequency (“RF”) signal. In such a manner, antenna (100) maytransmit data associated with the electric signal provided by electricfeed circuit (114) via an RF signal.

Also included in method (400) is providing (406) a current from electricfeed circuit (114) to conductive peninsula (106) electrically coupled toelectric feed circuit (114), wherein conductive peninsula (106) is of ashape outlined by insulating region (104) disposed within conductiveplane (102). As described in more detail above with reference to FIGS.1-3, conductive peninsula (106) is coupled to conductive plane (102).Further conductive peninsula (106) is substantially coplanar to majorportion (112) of conductive plane (102). Still further, conductivepeninsula (106) is operable to electrically couple a tunable inductanceto conductive plane (102) after receiving the current from electric feedcircuit (114). For example, by providing a current from electric feedcircuit (114) to conductive peninsula (106), conductive peninsula (106)may exhibit electrical characteristics that enable conductive peninsula(106) to provide an inductance to an antenna circuit comprisingconductive plane (102), conductive peninsula (106), and electric feedcircuit (114). The inductance provided by conductive peninsula (106) maybe tuned through a variety of measures. For example, the dimensions ofconductive peninsula (106) may be altered in a design phase to alter theinductance value provided by conductive peninsula (106). As anadditional example, the materials comprising conductive peninsula (106)may be altered to alter the electric characteristics of conductivepeninsula (106). As a further example, the current provided toconductive peninsula (106) by electric feed circuit (114) may be variedin order to more finely tune the inductance provided by conductivepeninsula (106). With regard to this latter example, the currentprovided by electric feed circuit (114) to conductive peninsula (106)may be varied during operation to alter the inductance in accordancewith varying needs of the antenna circuit (e.g., to switch operatingbands/frequencies).

By including the variable inductance provided by conductive peninsula(106) in the antenna circuit, conductive plane (102) may be formed to beof a size less than one-quarter of a wavelength of a resonant frequencyassociated with antenna (100), as described in more detail above withreference to FIGS. 1-3. Further, as described in more detail above withreference to FIGS. 1-3, by including a relatively large inductancethrough the operation of conductive peninsula (106), additional tuningcomponents associated with electric feed circuit (114) may be formedwith relatively smaller components. For example, small capacitors may beincluded on electric feed circuit (114) in order to fine tune theoperation of antenna (100).

Also included in example method (400) is transmitting (408) dataassociated with the plurality of environmental data through an antennacircuit, the antenna circuit comprising conductive plane (102) and thetunable inductance provided by conductive peninsula (106). For example,after receiving the environmental data from plurality of sensors (306),that data may be temporarily stored on memory (308). In someembodiments, processor (304) may then be operable to retrieve the datafrom memory (308) and cause an electric signal to be provided toconductive plane (102), as described in more detail above. This electricsignal will be associated with the data retrieved from memory (308).Accordingly, data associated with the environmental data may betransmitted by conductive plane (102), conductive plane (102) being partof the antenna circuit including the tunable inductance provided byconductive peninsula (106) and electric feed circuit (114), as describedin more detail above.

For further explanation, FIG. 5 sets forth a flow chart illustratinganother example method (500) for operating a coplanar antenna circuit,according to embodiments of the present disclosure. As described in moredetail above with reference to FIGS. 1A-1B, antenna (100) may beconfigured in such a manner so that conductive peninsula (106) eitheracts as a tunable inductance or as a resonant element. Example method(500) is similar to example method (400), however example method (500)includes conductive peninsula (106) configured to act as a resonantelement.

The example method (500) of FIG. 5 includes receiving (502) a pluralityof environmental data from a plurality of sensors. For example, asdescribed in more detail above with reference to FIG. 3, a deviceincluding coplanar antenna (100) (e.g., personal sensor bracelet (300))may include a plurality of sensors (306). These sensors (306) may beoperable to receive a variety of environmental data associated with auser of the device. For example, sensors (306) may be operable toreceive atmospheric data, location data, biometric data, etc. Asdescribed in more detail above with reference to FIG. 3, this data maybe stored in memory (308).

Also included in example method (500) is providing (504) a current toconductive plane (102), conductive plane (102) having a first dimensionand a second dimension, wherein the length of conductive plane (102)along the first dimension is less than one-quarter of a wavelength of aresonant frequency. For example, as described above with reference toFIGS. 1-3, coplanar antenna (100) may include conductive plane (102),which may be configured to be of a shape that includes a length lessthan one-quarter of a wavelength of a desired resonance frequency. Asdescribed in more detail above with reference to FIG. 3, electric feedcircuit (114) may be operable to provide a current to conductive plane(102), resulting in conductive plane (102) resonating at the desiredresonant frequency. Variations in this electric signal will result invariations in resonance of conductive plane (102), which may result inconductive plane (102) transmitting a signal associated with theelectric signal provided by electric feed circuit (114). This may bedone in accordance with known techniques of providing an electric signalto a resonant antenna in order to convert an electrical signal to aradio frequency (“RF”) signal. In such a manner, antenna (100) maytransmit data associated with the electric signal provided by electricfeed circuit (114) via an RF signal.

Also included in method (500) is providing (506) an electric signal froman electric feed circuit (114) to a conductive peninsula (106)electrically coupled to the electric feed circuit (114), such that animpedance associated with the conductive peninsula (106) whenelectrically coupled substantially matches a signal impedance at theelectrical feed circuit (114), wherein the conductive peninsula (106) isof a shape outlined by an insulating region disposed within theconductive plane (102). As described in more detail above with referenceto FIGS. 1-3, conductive peninsula (106) is coupled to conductive plane(102). Further conductive peninsula (106) is substantially coplanar tomajor portion (112) of conductive plane (102). Still further, conductivepeninsula (106) is operable to substantially resonate at a desiredfrequency after receiving the current from electric feed circuit (114),as described in more detail above with reference to FIG. 1B.

Also included in example method (500) is transmitting (508) dataassociated with the plurality of environmental data through an antennacircuit, the antenna circuit comprising conductive plane (102) andconductive peninsula (106). For example, after receiving theenvironmental data from plurality of sensors (306), that data may betemporarily stored on memory (308). In some embodiments, processor (305)may then be operable to retrieve the data from memory (308) and cause anelectric signal to be provided to conductive plane (102), as describedin more detail above. This electric signal will be associated with thedata retrieved from memory (308). Accordingly, data associated with theenvironmental data may be transmitted by conductive plane (102),conductive plane (102) being part of the antenna circuit includingconductive peninsula (106) and electric feed circuit (114), as describedin more detail above.

For further explanation, FIG. 6 sets forth a flow chart illustratinganother example method (600) for manufacturing a coplanar antennacircuit, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The examplemethod (600) of FIG. 6 includes forming (602) conductive plane (102)from a first conductive material, conductive plane (102) having a firstdimension (108) and a second dimension (110), wherein the length ofconductive plane (102) along first dimension (108) is less thanone-quarter of a wavelength of a resonant frequency. As described inmore detail above with reference to FIG. 1A, forming (602) conductiveplane (102) from a first conductive material may include formingconductive plane (102) from any appropriate conductive material such asbronze, copper, aluminum, gold, etc. Forming (602) conductive plane(102) may include taking into consideration a variety of designconsiderations, which may vary depending on the particular configurationdesired. For example, the material chosen may be based on weightconsiderations, performance considerations, cost considerations, etc.Further, the exact dimensions of conductive plane (102) may varydepending on design considerations including performance considerations(e.g., the desired resonance frequency), size considerations (e.g., thedesired size of the resultant personal device), etc. One of ordinaryskill in the art would be able to determine the particular dimensions ofconductive plane (102), and particular variations may be present withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure.

Example method (600) also includes forming (602) conductive peninsula(106) from a second conductive material, conductive peninsula (106)being coupled to conductive plane (102) and separated from conductiveplane (102) by insulating region (104), wherein conductive peninsula(106) is substantially coplanar to major portion (112) of conductiveplane (102). As described in more detail above with reference to FIG.1A, forming (604) conductive peninsula (106) from a second conductivematerial may include forming conductive peninsula (106) from anyappropriate conductive material such as bronze, copper, aluminum, gold,etc.

Forming conductive peninsula (106) may include taking into considerationa variety of design considerations, which may vary depending on theparticular configuration desired. For example, the material chosen maybe based on weight considerations, performance considerations, costconsiderations, etc. Further, the exact dimensions of conductivepeninsula (106) may vary depending on design considerations includingperformance considerations (e.g., the desired resonance frequency), sizeconsiderations (e.g., the desired size of the resultant personaldevice), etc. Still further, as described in more detail above withreference to FIGS. 1-4, the exact dimensions of conductive peninsula(106) may be chosen in order to provide a particular inductance value toantenna (100). One of ordinary skill in the art would be able todetermine the particular dimensions of conductive plane (102), andparticular variations may be present without departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure.

Example method (600) also includes electrically coupling (606)conductive peninsula (106) to electric feed circuit (114), whereinconductive peninsula (106) is operable to electrically couple a tunableinductance to conductive plane (102) after receiving a current fromelectric feed circuit (114). In some embodiments, conductive peninsula(106) and conductive plane (102) may be formed from an integral piece ofthe same conductive material. In such embodiments, the first and secondconductive materials may be substantially the same. In alternativeembodiments, conductive peninsula (106) and conductive plane (102) maybe formed from different pieces of conductive material and coupledtogether through any appropriate coupling mechanism, as would beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

For further explanation, FIG. 7 sets forth a flow chart illustratinganother example method (700) for manufacturing a coplanar antennacircuit, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Asdescribed in more detail above with reference to FIGS. 1A-1B, antenna(100) may be configured in such a manner so that conductive peninsula(106) either acts as a tunable inductance or as a resonant element.Example method (700) is similar to example method (600), however examplemethod (700) includes conductive peninsula (106) configured to act as aresonant element.

The example method (700) of FIG. 7 includes forming (702) conductiveplane (102) from a first conductive material, conductive plane (102)having a first dimension (108) and a second dimension (110), wherein thelength of conductive plane (102) along first dimension (108) is lessthan one-quarter of a wavelength of a resonant frequency. As describedin more detail above with reference to FIG. 1A, forming (702) conductiveplane (102) from a first conductive material may include formingconductive plane (102) from any appropriate conductive material such asbronze, copper, aluminum, gold, etc. Forming (702) conductive plane(102) may include taking into consideration a variety of designconsiderations, which may vary depending on the particular configurationdesired. For example, the material chosen may be based on weightconsiderations, performance considerations, cost considerations, etc.Further, the exact dimensions of conductive plane (102) may varydepending on design considerations including performance considerations(e.g., the desired resonance frequency), size considerations (e.g., thedesired size of the resultant personal device), etc. One of ordinaryskill in the art would be able to determine the particular dimensions ofconductive plane (102), and particular variations may be present withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure.

Example method (700) also includes forming (702) conductive peninsula(106) from a second conductive material, conductive peninsula (106)being coupled to conductive plane (102) and separated from conductiveplane (102) by insulating region (104), wherein conductive peninsula(106) is substantially coplanar to major portion (112) of conductiveplane (102). As described in more detail above with reference to FIG.1B, forming (704) conductive peninsula (106) from a second conductivematerial may include forming conductive peninsula (106) from anyappropriate conductive material such as bronze, copper, aluminum, gold,etc.

Forming conductive peninsula (106) may include taking into considerationa variety of design considerations, which may vary depending on theparticular configuration desired. For example, the material chosen maybe based on weight considerations, performance considerations, costconsiderations, etc. Further, the exact dimensions of conductivepeninsula (106) may vary depending on design considerations includingperformance considerations (e.g., the desired resonance frequency), sizeconsiderations (e.g., the desired size of the resultant personaldevice), etc. Still further, as described in more detail above withreference to FIGS. 1-4, the exact dimensions of conductive peninsula(106) may be chosen in order to provide a particular resonant frequencyvalue to antenna (100). One of ordinary skill in the art would be ableto determine the particular dimensions of conductive plane (102), andparticular variations may be present without departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure.

Example method (700) also includes electrically coupling (706)conductive peninsula (106) to electric feed circuit (114), whereinconductive peninsula (106) is operable to substantially resonate at afrequency after receiving a current from electric feed circuit (114). Insome embodiments, conductive peninsula (106) and conductive plane (102)may be formed from an integral piece of the same conductive material. Insuch embodiments, the first and second conductive materials may besubstantially the same. In alternative embodiments, conductive peninsula(106) and conductive plane (102) may be formed from different pieces ofconductive material and coupled together through any appropriatecoupling mechanism, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in theart.

The flowcharts in the Figures illustrate the architecture,functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems andmethods according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Inthis regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may representa module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one ormore executable instructions for implementing the specified logicalfunction(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted inthe block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example,two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry outcombinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that modificationsand changes may be made in various embodiments of the present disclosurewithout departing from its true spirit. The descriptions in thisspecification are for purposes of illustration only and are not to beconstrued in a limiting sense. The scope of the present disclosure islimited only by the language of the following claims.

1. A coplanar antenna comprising: a single conductive plane having afirst dimension and a second dimension, wherein the length of the singleconductive plane along the first dimension is the radiating elementlength of the coplanar antenna and is less than one-quarter of awavelength of a resonant frequency; an insulating region disposed withinthe single conductive plane, wherein the insulating region is of a shapethat outlines a conductive peninsula, wherein: the conductive peninsulais coupled to the single conductive plane; the conductive peninsula issubstantially coplanar to a major portion of the single conductiveplane; the conductive peninsula is operable to be electrically coupledto an electric feed circuit; and the conductive peninsula is operable toelectrically couple a tunable inductance to the single conductive planeafter receiving a current from the electric feed circuit: and a firstelectrical connection that electrically couples the conductive plane tothe electric feed circuit and a second electrical connection thatelectrically couples the conductive peninsula to the electric feedcircuit, wherein the first electrical connection is positioned at apoint along the first dimension distal from the second electricalconnection.
 2. The coplanar antenna of claim 1, wherein the singleconductive plane and the conductive peninsula are formed from anintegral piece of conductive material.
 3. The coplanar antenna of claim1, wherein the single conductive plane is not covered by an insulatingradome in operation.
 4. The coplanar antenna of claim 1, wherein theinsulating region is formed by removing a portion of the singleconductive plane.
 5. The coplanar antenna of claim 1, wherein theinsulating region is substantially filled by a dielectric material. 6.The coplanar antenna of claim 1, wherein the electric feed circuitcomprises a tuning circuit operable to electrically compensate for aportion of the wavelength of the resonant frequency.
 7. The coplanarantenna of claim 1, wherein the single conductive plane is electricallycoupled to the electric feed circuit.
 8. A method for operating acoplanar antenna, the method comprising: receiving a plurality ofenvironmental data from a plurality of sensors; providing an electricalsignal to a single conductive plane of the coplanar antenna, the singleconductive plane having a first dimension and a second dimension,wherein the length of the single conductive plane along the firstdimension is the radiating element length of the coplanar antenna and isless than one-quarter of a wavelength of a resonant frequency; providinga current from an electric feed circuit to a conductive peninsulaelectrically coupled to the electric feed circuit, wherein theconductive peninsula is of a shape outlined by an insulating regiondisposed within the single conductive plane, wherein: the conductivepeninsula is coupled to the single conductive plane; the conductivepeninsula is substantially coplanar to a major portion of the singleconductive plane; and the conductive peninsula is operable toelectrically couple a tunable inductance to the single conductive planeafter receiving the current from the electric feed circuit; and whereina first electrical connection electrically couples the conductive planeto the electric feed circuit and a second electrical connectionelectrically couples the conductive peninsula to the electric feedcircuit, and wherein the first electrical connection is positioned at apoint along the first dimension distal from the second electricalconnection; and transmitting data associated with the plurality ofenvironmental data through an antenna circuit, the antenna circuitcomprising the single conductive plane and the tunable inductance. 9.The method of claim 8, wherein the single conductive plane and theconductive peninsula are formed from an integral piece of conductivematerial.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the single conductive planeis not covered by an insulating radome in operation.
 11. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the insulating region is formed by removing a portionof the single conductive plane.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein theinsulating region is substantially filled by a dielectric material. 13.The method of claim 8, wherein the electric feed circuit furthercomprises a tuning circuit operable to electrically compensate for aportion of the wavelength of the resonant frequency.
 14. A personalsensor bracelet comprising: a curved conductive band comprising: asubstantially planar portion having a first end and a second end; afirst curved portion extending from the first end of the substantiallyplanar portion; a second curved portion extending from the second end ofthe substantially planar portion; a coplanar antenna disposed, thecoplanar antenna comprising: a single conductive plane having a firstdimension and a second dimension, wherein the length of the singleconductive plane along the first dimension is the radiating elementlength of the coplanar antenna and is less than or equal to one-quarterof a wavelength of a resonant frequency, wherein a major portion of thesingle conductive plane is disposed within the substantially planarportion; an insulating region disposed within the single conductiveplane, wherein the insulating region is of a shape that outlines aconductive peninsula, wherein: the conductive peninsula is coupled tothe single conductive plane; the conductive peninsula is substantiallycoplanar to the major portion of the single conductive plane; theconductive peninsula electrically couples a tunable inductance to thesingle conductive plane; the conductive peninsula is not substantiallyelectrically resonant at the resonant frequency; and the conductivepeninsula is electrically coupled to an electric feed circuit; a firstelectrical connection that electrically couples the conductive plane tothe electric feed circuit a second electrical connection thatelectrically couples the conductive peninsula to the electric feedcircuit, wherein the first electrical connection is positioned at apoint along the first dimension distal from the second electricalconnection; a processor disposed within the substantially planarportion, the processor electrically coupled to the electric feedcircuit; and a plurality of sensors disposed within the substantiallyplanar portion, the plurality of sensors electrically coupled to theprocessor and a second curved band coupled to the curved conductive bandsuch that the second curved band and the curved conductive band form abracelet, wherein the second curved band is removably coupled to thecurved conductive band at an end of the first curved portion distal fromthe substantially planar portion, and the second curved band isremovably coupled to the curved conductive band at an end of the secondcurved portion distal from the substantially planar portion.
 15. Thepersonal sensor bracelet of claim 14, wherein the single conductiveplane is not covered by an insulating radome in operation. 16.(canceled)
 17. The personal sensor bracelet of claim 14, wherein thesingle conductive plane and the conductive peninsula are formed from anintegral piece of conductive material.
 18. The personal sensor braceletof claim 14, wherein the insulating region is substantially filled by adielectric material.
 19. The personal sensor bracelet of claim 14,wherein the electric feed circuit comprises a tuning circuit operable toelectrically compensate for a portion of the wavelength of the resonantfrequency.
 20. A method of manufacturing a coplanar antenna circuit, themethod comprising: forming a single conductive plane from a firstconductive material, the single conductive plane having a firstdimension and a second dimension, wherein the length of the singleconductive plane along the first dimension is the radiating elementlength of the coplanar antenna and is less than one-quarter of awavelength of a resonant frequency; forming a conductive peninsula froma second conductive material, the conductive peninsula being coupled tothe single conductive plane and separated from the single conductiveplane by an insulating region, wherein the conductive peninsula issubstantially coplanar to a major portion of the single conductiveplane; electrically coupling the conductive plane to an electric feedcircuit via a first electrical connection; and electrically coupling theconductive peninsula to the electric feed circuit via a secondelectrical connection, wherein the conductive peninsula is operable toelectrically couple a tunable inductance to the single conductive planeafter receiving a current from the electric feed circuit, and whereinthe first electrical connection is positioned at a point along the firstdimension distal from the second electrical connection.